Electropneumatic swell-pedal action for pipe-organs.



E.' M. SKINNER. ELEGTROPNEUMATIG SWELL PEDAL ACTION FOR PIPE RGANS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1911.

Patented 001;.21',1913.

3 SEEETE*SHEET 1.

Win70( B. M. SKINNER. ELEGTROPNEUMATIG SWELL PEDAL AGTIQN FOR PIPEORGANS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9,1911, 1,076,069.`

Pat-,ema 001121,191.

s LSHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS,

E. M. SKNNBR. ELEGTROPNEUMATIG SWELL PEDAL ACTION FOR PIPE ORGANS.APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1911.

199076,069. Patented 0015.21, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. ofwhich the following-is a specitica'tion'.

`shutters to move in either direction, te rest, f at intermediate pointsand to move at vai@n rlous speeds, a controlllng vmechanism con A4themoment and by means of which, without regard to the speed or vdirectionof movel closing, etc., has always been indispensable;

a valveuiiieiently largejto carry a swell UNTTED sTATns PATENT enr-ien.

ELECTBQPNEUMATI'G. SWELIi-PEDAL. ACTION FOR-PI1E-OBGANS.

v Patented Oct. 21, 1913. rpplicationled-September 9, 1911. Serial No.648,547:

LOfh Specification of Letterslyatent. Y.

blage without departing from the spirit thereoii In the drawings Figurel is a diagrammatic view illustrating the organ in use, having wind' inthe chest, the swell shutter being completely closed Fig. 2 shows across section of' the swell shutter ,in the To all whom t may concern IBe itv known that I', ERNEST M. SKINNER, of Boston, in the county of'Suffolk. and' Statel of'M'assachusetts, have inventedcertain new and*useful Improvements inl Electropnelr" matic SwelllP'edal Actions forPipe-Organs,

rPhe object of this invention is to'eliminate closed position. Fig. 3shows the-same in the vuncertainty and erratic behavior that theopenposition. Fig. 4' is an rged'sec has always attended' thesemechanisms. tion ofthepneumatic enginei` .ng mo rIheusual= constructionof' an -electropneumatic mechanism for op'eratingswell shut'- terconsists in a bellows for closing the shutter, *and anotherconnected'thereto for opening it. Inasmucli-.as it is necessary forthese 1i. Fig; 5 is-.an enlarged'view ofthe group o'pneumat-icmotors 5,with their connect# inggbarst; Fig: 6is a plan ofia usual ar.'-rangement of' lthe pneumatic motors, viewed from'beneatl. Fig; 7: is adiagram showing .three oflthe` pneumatic motors 5 opera'-pneumatic-motors- 5-in ppefation; Fig. 9 is an' enlarged sectional4'view illustrating the valve mechanism.

,.The's'ame reference characters indicate the same partsin all thefigures;

@ne ofthe* chiefl ditliculties in .the employment of 'two opposedfmotors in devices of the description cited-'above has been the sistingof cutouts, neutralipoints, systems Vof. contacts for opening, systemsoicontacts for pneumatic its entire excursion .in 'a-very'brief space oftimeis not suitable for moving the same pneumatic a 'short distance and'at a slow speed.

The present these problems,

invention aims to solve all to eliminate all' the elements ofuncertainty, all contacts, neutral points, places of adjustments,et'cwat the motors, and to substitute a more reasonable and tractablemechanism.

lOne ofthe purposes ofthis invention is to provide an engine or motorfor actuating the swell shutter, of which the power shall vary with theamountof work to be done'at in described, the load is always the same oneachmotor;-iff'theshutter is to be moved a will-beactuated-at once, andas all the motors may be' collapsed or inflated Ain the same amount oftime required for any one of them not obtainable 'with in'detail apartofthe devices shown 1n Fig.

tion. lFigi'is a'diagram showingone'of'the short distance only one ortwo motors will1 he actuated;` If theshutter-is to be moved l'suddenly-the entire distance, allithe motors ment, any definite orcertain number ofcoutacts in circuit at the swell shoe will always giveexactly the same position of the. engine 'and swell shutter.

With the above and other objects in view,

' as will presently appear, the invention conparts in all views, thereis-illustrated a form of vembodiment ofthe invention capable of-carrying' the saine into practical operatimi hatthe -'elements there#`it-bei lunderstoodjV- l inexhiited Emaybe veiled, as to. shape,prodetailiand exctsnarmererfassen forms.

Referring irst` to Fig. 1', I have represented by 11a-footlever or pedalnormally held inthe' position illustrated and adapted to beldepressedlabouta pivotal axis 2 by pressure ofthe performers foot. Thispedal is connected bymeans vof a link 3 with a lever'y 4, nwhichisonecontact member of 'an electric switch. This lever is adapted toanumber .or cmplemental contacts 5, which are; so arranged. as-ijtoibefengaged successo j variability'of-theload. In the engine heretooperate, a--promptness i-sxsecuredwhich is mechanism offthe older engageandlmake electricahconnection with sively by downward movemento theswitch 4 lever 4, being-thus engaged one at a time'.

The switch lever. Liis.connected withv one .terminal 6`ofv'a`yn electricbattery, 7fother sourcev of electrica-l energy., The other-Iter1 minal8of this battery" or source of epergy is' p-rovided"with branches 9Awhich lea d /re-Q spectively- 'to independent f electro-magnets,

' 12 represents a chest or wind 'box which is .4 and 5.

levers one of which is shown in Fig. 4 and is herei'nat'ter described.rThe `several complemental switch contacts are independently connectedelectrically with the windings of the several electro-magnets lto whichthe branches 9 lead. The. wires making such connections are gatheredinto a cable 10.

kept permanently supplied with compressed air from a bellows or othercompressor. A pipe Vor conduit for conducting the coinpressed air to thechest is indicated at 13.V

In the chest pneumatic m/otors 14s, there being a' series of suolimotors from two to eight or more, and all alike infrespect to the powerand extent of motion which theycan produce. similar to bellows having a.rigid top 15,

.which is secured to the top of the wind box,l and a movable bottom 16exposed to the pressure of air in the wind box. The top and bottom ofeach bellows are connected by `'flexible sides which permit-movement ofthe bottom'. From the interior of each motor extends a passage 17 fromwhich outlets lead respectively to a windway 1S continuously incommunication with the wind box, and to the outer air. These outlets arecontrolled by valves 19 and 2O respectively. Each of themetors'isgoverned in its action by an electro-magnet 21, which, through itsarmature- 22 and pneumatic 23, valve. 24C and pneumatic 25, actuates thevalves 19 and 20 in a manner well-known in the art, so as to closeeither the valve 19 or the valve 2O and simultaneously open the other,according as the magnet circuit is. opened or closed. rlhe magnets 21for the motors are those previously referred to asbeing in circuit withthe battery 7 and the switch contacts Fig. 1- illustrates the normalpositions of the motors whether the chest is' full'of wind or when-theorgan is entirely fat rest. 1n other words the positions of the motorsdo not change except when the circuits are closed by the switch 4.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 26 represents the swell `shutter which is shown asclosed inl F ies. 1

lent'thereot, which tends to draw it downward. The wire or rod 30,which, for con.- venicnce ot' description, I mayaeter to as is connectedwith all of the motors means ol a system of bars or floating 32, and 34.rl`he tie is'connected at the middle of the bar 32, which at its imiddle of bars 34.

In form each of such motors isv ends is suspended flexibly from themiddle ot two bars 35,' and the latter .at their ends being suspended inlike manner from the Each of the last-named bars is in likemaiinerconnected flexibly with two of the motors. Thus it'will be seenthat these tloating levers act as equa-lizers. Thetie 30 passes throughan opening 35 iii the bottom of theehest 12, from'which escape of air isprevented by apacking 36 ol' a. character commonin this art.

From the foregoing git -Will be seen that i the movement of all of themotors simultaiieously through theirjgtull extent gives theinaximumniovement t'o the tie, and consequently to the swell sl'iiitter,vwhile independent movement in one of the motors gives only a ractionalpart of such movement to the tie. is the number of motors employed. Ashere shown there are eight motors, but in practice I contemplate usingtwice as many, arranged in the Wind box and connected together by` anadditional barr similar tothe bar below the box from which the tie 30 issuspended. I have only shown one set of eight such motors with theconnections, because such showing suiliciently illustrates the principleof the invention, and also to simplify the drawings.

A study of the system of bars and their connections Will make 'it-clearthat the movement of any one of the motors is equal to the totalmovement ofthe perpendicular tie, and it follows that if there are eightmotors, each one' of them will bear one-eighth of the load; il sixteen,which is usual in practice, each motor will'bear one-sixteenth of theload. AIt should also be clear that a sudden movement of the shutterfrom one extreme position to another voccasions Ano greater load onanyone of the mo-tors than a lesser movement, since a variation in thespeed or extent of the movement of the shutter means only the4employment ot a .greater or less number of motors for the purpose.

Fig. '8 shows one of the motors collapsed, and the effect of itsmovement indicated on the scale opposite the perpendicular tie, e. ithas raised' said tie one-eighth the total distance.

Fig. 7 shows three of the motors collapsed, and the position assumed bybars inraising the perpendicular tie three eighths its total movement.In mechanism designed for this purpose, it is customary to use an opencircuit 'system` of elect-rie contacts and wirn ing, the circuitsbeingcompleted at Contact lever el by the usual on and oli' contacts,and automatically broken at the pneumatic mechanism operating the swellshutters.` ln the device herein described 'the circuits are alw 'yscomplete at the mechanism controlling the shutter, the make-and-breakbeing.

The denominator ot such' tractionA shutter 26 closed as illustrated inFig. 1. I'f the foot piece 1 be now depressed', 'a resulting e loweringof contact piece 4 will lta'li'e place i" and one of the contacts 5 willbe closed, one

4eliminating a great amount of troublesome complication.

is entirely open.

-the passages e, 38 and -the atmosphere, andthe greater fluid'pges surein chamber 12 causes the -bell'ows to made' only at contact points, 4and 5, thereby l The operation is as follows: The motors serve to closethe shutter,t`he weightior spring 31 to open the'1'n. Thus when theorgan is not-.iin use 'the saidlweight or spring holds all of the motorsexpanded and the shutters 26 open. lWhen the organ is in use,'howe'ver,and the magnets are all de- 4energized, the pressure of the Huidentering box 12 through pipe 13 maintainsa'l'l 'the motors 14 in acollapsed condition and tlie of magnets 21 will be energized. Referringtol Fig. 9' itwill be seen that when magnet 21 is energized, thearmature A37, which also acts. asa valve is drawn so as to uncoverpassage a and cover assa'ge 'hfthereby 'pl'aoy ing the chamber on t' eright of diaphragm 23 in communication with 'the atmosphere throughpassages a, b and 0. The fluid' presy sure in chamber Z being greater'than atmospheric pressure, thev diaphragm 23 is moved to the right justas soon as t 'e passage ais opened. This movement causes the valve 24'to uncover passage f and cover passage e., The chamber to the left ofdiaphragm 245i is thus opened to 'the atmosphere through. passagej, 38and g, 'whereupon 't'he pressure in chamber d causes diaphragm 25 toInove to the left unseatin'g val've 19` and seating valve 20. Thepressurefffrom 'chamber di' 'then enters the bellows 14S-'through'passage 17. The internalv .and external pressures on' the Vbellows thenbeing equal, the weight or spring 31 ac'ts V,to open the bello'v'vs,yand` shutter 26 will accordingly' be opened; one e1 hth its travelingdistance; a I fur# ther epression o'f contact piece 4;' frei sul-ts in asimilar operation'of the remaining i motors, until all are inila'tedand' the Shutter When tue 'magnet 21 denergized the pressure in chamber'l causes the armature tov close' ,passage a, and open passage11,Wher'eu'ponthevuid underqiressure inchamber d' passes 'throughpassages It, and c to the right side of -dlia-4 phragm 23, moving thelatter to 'the letI,I causingnthe valve 24 to close passage an openpassage e.

This permits the under pressure in chamber l to pass through gto the of`dia-g phragm 25, moving the lla'titerr't'o 'the ri tl to close valve 19and open 'valve 20C heinterior of the bellows' 14' -is thus 'opened tocollapse, effecting a corresponding closing movement of the shutter. o

1. An/electropneunatic swell pedala/ction,

comprising a set of motors 14, a bar :irranged transversely to thedirection ott motion Caused by said motors, common to said set of motorsand connected thereto, one extremity to each motor, a swell shutterhaving sections arranged lto/move collectively, and connecting meansengaged with an in- 4tei'niefliate point of said bar, and connectingsaid bar to said shutter substantially as described.'

` '2. An electropneu'matic swell pedal action comprising a group lofmotors, a group of of motion produced bythe motors, certain of such barsbeing' connec'tedfn'ca'r their ends with 'certain of the motors, andanother being connected near its ends with intermebars, vextendingytransversely of the direction Adiate points on the first bars, a swellshutter provided with a series of sections connected to move together,and a tie ,connecting said shutter to the last-named of said bars, suo

stantiallyas set forth.

3 'An electropneumatic swell pedal action 'cornrising a swell shutter, ai group. of motors, connecting means engaged with all of said motors atonce a'nd with said shutter, lmagnets, pneumatics and valves controllingth'e motors independently, a group 'of -contact-s each connected incircuit with one 'off the magnets, and a Contact piece in circuit withthe magnets adapted to engage with said contacts, substantially asdescribed.

4. An v'elec'tropneuinatie. swell pedal action comprising al pluralityof parallel circuits each -provided with contacts, a contact vpiecearranged to successively engage said contacts to complete 'the circuits,magnets arranged in the respective circuits, a group of motorscontrolled' independently' oi' each ,other by said magnets, a swellshutter, motor equalizing .mechanism connected with all the motors,`anda vtie connecting said equalizing mechanism with said shutter.

5., pneumatic's'well pedall action comprising a fswe'll shutter, a groupof motors, pneumatic means for independently controlling said motors,'and a group of bars, connected to each other, and to the motors, meaisfor connecting said bars to said shuttei j `to 'move the `latter 'inresponse to move A ments 'produced' by said motors, and' a weightconnected' to said bars and acting in" opposition 'to -the pressureWithin said motors.

e. 'an .eieetrepneamscc Swen: een action y comprising a wind-box, agrou' go'f' motors, atie-rod issuing' from said wi'nfl'boz, and' a'flexible 'packing sleeve surrounding said tie rod 'in ai'rt'ight'connection therewith and with "the wind' bex swell shutterfeoneeted withsaid tie'iro ,and means 4for connecting vsaid tie-rod' `and' moti-ors,said means including. levers forglxcausing theextent of l movement ofthe tie-,

be inzfproportion l plicate pneumaticmotors, an electro-niaga pluralityof magnets, pncumatics and arately, connections from said motors. to

.levers at the .middle points of the latter, a

nently in electrical connection with one of to the number one time. y i

7. An .organ swell action comprising a swell shutter, a plurality ofduplicate niotors, means for' energizing the motors sepof motors in'ooeration at an i 3 saidVA shutter, lsaid connections including means')r varying the extent of movement of the shutter in proportion to thenumber of motorsin use at any one time.

8. An electropneumatic organ swell action, comprising a plurality ofseparate duvnetic" control for each mot-or, switch contacts in circuitseparately with the several controls, a.- complemental switch memberarranged to be successively brought into and out ot' contact with saidcontacts, to close and open the circuits of the control and operate theino! tors successively, a swell shutter, lioating levers each. connectedat its 'opposite ends to two motors, a further floating lever connectedat its ends'with two of the first-named third lever connected with thesecond lever at the middle point thereof, and a tie connected with thelever at the middle point thereof, and with the shutter, wherebymovement oi all the motors gives the shutter its maximum movement, andmovement of one or more of the motors, less than all, proportionatelyvaries the extent et' .movement of the shutter.

9. An organ swell action, comprising a swell shutter, a plurality ofmotors, means for energizing the motors in succession cumulatively, andconnecting meansbetween the several motors and the' shutter, saidconnect-ing means including means for causing the distance the shutteropens to vary in accordance with the number of motors intlated.

10. An electropneumatic swell pedal action, comprising a swell shutter,a group of motors, connecting means engaged with all of said motors atonce and with said shutter,

valves controlling the motors independently, a plurality of contacts,each being permasaid magnets, and a complemental contact member inelectrical connection'with all of said magnets and .arranged to besuccessively brought into 'contact with all of the lirst named contacts.

1].. An electropneumatic swell .pedal action, comprising a swellshutter, yielding means tending constantly1 to open said shutter, agroup of motors and connecting means engaged with all of said motors atonce and with said shutter, electro-magnetic means for 'causingoperation of the motors in opiosltion to the action of said yieldingmeans,

Copies of this patent maybe obte-.ined for are inve,

and separable contacts in electrical connection with the 4severalelectro-magnetic means, said electro magnetic means being arranged tocause operation of the motors when the circuits are closed.

12. An apparatusl of the character dei greater than atmospheric, andseparable con- V,

tacts-in constant connection with 4the several magnets, the magnets andthe controlling valves operated thereby being so arranged as 'to closethe communication of the shutters with the atmosphere and open that withthe source of air under pressure When the magnet circuits are closed,whereby the shutter is caused to open upon closing of the magnetcircuits.

13. An electropneumatic swell pedal action comprising a pressurechamber, collapsible motors located therein, mechanical means actingnormally vto expand said niotors, means for introducing 'luid underpressure into said chamber, said iluid acting n ormally to collapse saidmotors in opposition to said mechanical expanding means, means forintroducing fluid from said chamber into said motors to equalize thepressure, and

swell shutters operatively connected with' said motors.

14. Anelectropneumatic swell pedalaction comprisinga pressurecliau1bei', collapsible motors located therein, mechanical meansactingnormally to expand said motors, means for introducing Huid underpressure into said chamber, said Huid actingnormallv yto collapsel saidmotors in opposition to said mechanical expanding means, means forintroducing fluid from said chamber into said motors to equalize thepressure, a swell shutter, end equalizing mechanism connectinv saidshutter with said motors to cause said shutter to move a distance equalin proportion to the movement of all of the motors in operation at anyone time.

In testimony whereof l have aiiixed my signature, in presence of tivowitnesses.

` ERNEST M; SKlNNER. llitnesses:

A. H. BROWN, l?. lll'. Pnzzmrr.

by aearessng the Commissioner of Patents. "1 9

